This year, we have a whole world of technology at our fingertips. This has had a huge impact on the way we do business across all industries, including construction. If you are a construction contractor, you might be looking for construction apps to optimize your business. There’s a whole range of software on the market intended to help you manage the administration of your construction business, but choosing a cloud construction app will mean you have access to your data anywhere, anytime.
To help you navigate the world of apps for contractors, we’ve compiled a list of the best construction apps in 2020 to help you find one that will suit your needs and requirements.
1. Bridgit Bench
This software offers contractors an effective tool for workforce planning and resource management. It comes with a range of features that are applicable for general contracting, including skill tracking, employee scheduling, and data management. To find out more about the Bridget Bench app, check this out.
Pros
- Excellent customer service – Bridgit Bench is known for providing a high level of customer service to all clients and prospective clients. You can be guaranteed a good experience and helpful advice.
- Good value for money – This software is priced appropriately for its offerings. In comparison to other apps on the market, Bridgit Bench is seen as a good value for the money.
- Easy to use – The user interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for all contractors to use. The software is well thought out and needs little training to navigate.
Cons
- No free trial – Unlike some competitors, Bridgit Bench does not offer a free trial which may be inconvenient for some contractors seeking out the best contraction app for their particular business.
- No function to manage permissions – Larger contracting companies may be inconvenienced by the lack of function to manage permissions. While some staff may only need to access to certain projects, it is not possible to restrict their viewing to only those relevant to them.
2. Buildertrend
This cloud-based construction app offers a user-friendly project management system for general and specialty contractors alike. The app helps to manage contractors, track quotes, and monitor projects and deadlines.
Pros
- Effective client management – Buildertrend has all the features you need to manage your clients and ensure they are satisfied. You can log all communication and set reminders to check-in with them.
- Easy-to-track leads – The app also makes it easy to track leads from the initial inquiry through to sale. You can keep all of your notes, proposals, and prior communications in one place so that you can understand the stage a lead is at from one quick glance.
Cons
- Complex software – In comparison to other apps and software on the market, Buildertrend is quite complex. This is due to the many features available, however, it is worth noting that it may require a little extra time to get familiar with the app.
- Requires time to implement – While Buildretrend offers many benefits to contractors, it is likely to require some commitment upfront in terms of setup.
3. Houzz Pro
This all-in-one business management software is designed specifically for contractors and other professionals in the design and building industry. It has all the features you need to manage your business from marketing through to invoicing.
Pros
- Free version – For smaller contracting companies, Houzz Pro offers a free version of the software with basic features.
- Centralized business tool – With Houzz Pro, the days of needing multiple programs for different purposes are behind you. You’ll be able to manage marketing, quoting, project management, client relationships, and invoicing all in one place.
Cons
- Not easy to integrate with other programs – Given Houzz Pro’s all-in-one design, the construction app is limited in its ability to be integrated with other software. This may be a challenge for larger contracting companies who use specific finance software or other programs.
- Photo tagging can be tedious – One of the perks of Houzz Pro is the ability to easily save and share images relating to various projects, however, it is worth noting that each picture requires individual tagging to make it easily accessible. This can be a time-consuming process.
4. CoConstruct
CoConstruct is an app for contractors of all kinds, catering to everyone from builders and general contractors to those with a more specialized focus.
Pros
- Easy to track projects – CoConstruct offers an app that keeps all of your project data in one place. You can tell at a glance exactly where a project is up to and if it is on track.
- Intuitive platform – The app is easy to use and can be navigated effectively by people who aren’t familiar with the software.
Cons
- Limited reporting – While the app makes it easy to track and evaluate individual projects, there are limited reporting options at the overall business level. This may be inconvenient for companies requiring a comprehensive work-in-progress (WIP) report.
- Requires some time to setup – As with all software, the CoConstruct app requires some investment upfront to make it work for your particular company.
There is a huge market for apps for contractors, but these four stand out among the best for 2020. They are all cloud construction apps meaning you can be confident in their reliability without the need for extensive backups. It also makes it easy for you to access the data you need across different devices, whether you are on a computer in the office or a handheld device on site.
As with all new software, make sure you allocate some time to get it set up. The new software will need to be manipulated to a certain extent to ensure it works for your business, however, it is also the perfect time to review your internal processes and identify where things can be streamlined.
